Marin Voice: Prop. 31 delivers local control and state accountability

WE KNOW that Sacramento is dysfunctional. The question is: What can voters do to help fix it?

Given my experience in the Assembly, I am convinced that Proposition 31, the Government Performance and Accountability Act, is a useful step.

Proposition 31 will make the budget process more transparent, and it will make the budget process more efficient.

Proposition 31 establishes reasonable, rational and logical fiscal practices that have been worked in other states to create stability, transparency and accountability for results.

Proposition 31 requires a two-year-budget, performance measures, and oversight of every program. With those fundamental changes, lawmakers will spend more of their time figuring out which programs are working. A majority of Californians believe government wastes a majority of their tax dollars.

While that may be an exaggeration, they are right on one count. We really don't know if we are spending our precious tax dollars well.

Proposition 31 requires the governor and the Legislature to identify how they would fund new programs or tax cuts that total more than $25 million.

That alone will force the Legislature to be more accountable, and in the end, it will allow us to do more good in our state.

Let me be clear. The pay-as-you-go requirement in Proposition 31 is not a spending cap. But it does require lawmakers to spend more wisely.

The Legislature will no longer be able to make long-term commitments with short-term tax windfalls that are common with our volatile tax system.

The measure also allows the governor to reduce spending absent legislative action during a fiscal emergency.

Here's an example of how Proposition 31 would have worked in the past to stabilize the state's finances.

In 1999, the Legislature voted to reduce the vehicle license fee, commonly called the "car tax."

Revenue from the car tax supported local services. It took revenue from one-time taxes on capital gains income and replaced the lost local revenue at a cost of $4 billion.

The cost today is $6 billion with no revenue to finance the increased obligation to support the local services.

How could this have happened?

Under rules in 1999 (that continue today), the Legislature can cut taxes (or increase spending) without ever contemplating the consequences. Had Proposition 31 been in place in 1999, this foolish giveaway would never have occurred.

Proposition 31 requires every bill — the roughly 4,000 that are introduced every legislative session—including the Budget Act — to be available to the public for three days before lawmakers can vote on it.

It will prevent last-minute tricks inserted by special interests.

This good-governance measure also provides some relief for local governments. And that is essential since local governments are being asked to do more with less.

Proposition 31 provides both the authority and incentives to counties that work with their cities and schools to develop strategic plans that address common priority.

The Legislature could still veto any changes to state-funded programs, making this a win-win proposition.

I hope you'll join me in in voting "yes" on Proposition 31.

Former Assemblyman Joe Nation of Greenbrae represented Marin and Sonoma counties in Sacramento from 2000 to 2006.